I do not own Bleach or any of the works contained or referenced here in. But at least I've got chicken.

The blades of her opponents spears made twin whistling noises as they cut through the air one after the other in an endless rhythm, the Spearman's arms working like pistons to thrust his weapons again and again in a never ending combo.

Yoruichi grimaced as she dashed forward into the barrage, charging for the third time to get within striking distance. Crouching low, spinning to the side she pushed forward again with renewed speed and twisted around the crimson longspear that shot out to intercept her.

She was past it. It was the natural advantage of any spear that it could easily overreach all but the longest swords guaranteeing its wielder the advantage of first strike in any melee. However, if that first strike was missed and an enemy got past the spear's optimal striking distance then the wielder became easy prey, his weapon to long to draw back in time to strike again before his enemy made their own move. That was the rule of spear fighting and it was for that reason they were rare in Soul Society.

But this man...

Before she could deliver her palm strike Yoruichi was forced to check her attack and dive away quickly as the blade of the shorter golden spear rose up from her enemy's right to plunge into her throat.

She landed with her usual grace several yards away watching Lancer with careful eyes. Whoever this mystery warrior was he was an exceedingly clever combatant. Over the hundreds of years that she had worked and fought for the good of the Seireitei she had seen more fighting and weapon styles than she could ever hope to account for. While most Soul Reapers fought with the traditional sealed Katana form of the Zanpakuto once the Shikai was achieved the weapon could be almost anything, from basically the same in form to minor differences to configurations so bizarre that it was difficult to believe that they would ever work in battle.

But dual forms were rare and she had never seen dual spears before. Spears were always used with two hands to allow for full control of the long bodied weapon and the pinpoint accuracy that was required to strike just where you wanted.

But after tasting the first few rounds against Lancer the effectiveness of this configuration was proven beyond a doubt to her now. Anyone desiring to strike at the man would have to get past the guard of his longspear first, something that would require them to unbalance themselves, either by evading it with agility or using their own strike to block it. However, once the long spear was dodged or deflected the would be attacker was now open to an easy hit from the shorter golden blade if they tried to push forward.

The setup was so simple and effective that she almost laughed. It was simply and truly without so much as a single conventional opening. That was a rare thing, even for Shinigami Captains. She pitied him if he were ever lured into a space to tight for spears though.

Charging once more she skirted the edge of his long reach and made several attempts to grab the tip of his weapon just behind the blade when he jabbed out at her. He seemed to read her intent though and made a charge of his own, his legs blurring as he ran towards her fielding a withering offense.

She backpedaled using Shunpo to keep ahead of his charge, but found herself straining to do so. That was the other problem. Fancy spear techniques aside this warriors speed was simply outstanding. Light and lithe his agility and skillful footwork rivaled her student Soi Fong and brought her back to some of her old duals with the Captain of the 7th Division, Shunsui Kyoraku.

Dodging under a jab aimed at her head Yoruichi curled her legs and shot backwards using Shumpo to dance away from Lancers charge, outpacing him in a few steps.

Seeing that pursuit was futile he slowed and resumed his casual defensive stance watching her closely.

Her retreat had taken her completely out of the clearing and into the forest beyond but any hopes that he would follow her in were in vain. He would not be lured into a position where his spears would become a disadvantage it seemed. Besides, the forest was not really dense enough for that if it came to it.

Walking back out into the open she glanced to the side to view the other battle that was taking place. Urahara seemed to be engaging the pale Arrancar in a heated Kido battle chanting slowly with his hand extended he was projecting a large green net of energy while the Arrancar shot compressed bullets of Reiatsu at it one after the other. Large swathes of trees on either side of them had been torn up and scattered while the ground between them was now a yawning gulf.

This was no good. It seemed that both of them had reached a stalemate with their opponents for now. The trick was to turn that stalemate into victory without having to demolish large portions of the living world in the process...

She charged once more, pouring on the speed with new intensity. The ground exploded under her feet from the force the impacts as she ran, circling Lancer again and again in tight circle just outside the reach of his weapons. Flicking in and out, in and out she put his reflexes to the ultimate test moving around him and attacking whenever his guard faltered. It was an old style of her's, utilizing her speed alone she could oftentimes break an enemy, overwhelming them to the point where they could no longer react or turn fast enough to defend themselves.

Lancer however met her on her own terms, rather than remaining stationary he fell in with her, his eyes never missing a step of the dance she was weaving. As she stepped in and out his spears met her movements perfectly, never faltering for even an instant and when she knocked his longspear out of the way for the hundredth time his golden blade was waiting just as always.

The two revolved around each other, their movements stirring up the earth into a swirling dust cloud as they traded hundreds of blows in a matter of seconds. But the spears length between them was never crossed, and for all her speed Yoruichi found she could not get passed his defense.

"Your a quick one Lancer." She said, dodging the point of the cloth wrapped longspear once more.

"You do me an honor Lady, your own movements are like that of a goddess. To tell the truth I have never met one so fleet of foot as you before. Had you only a spear of your own I would be quite tested. It is your misfortune that you are so poorly equipped." The grass all around them was being torn to shreds, and when they skirted the edge of the clearing the wind from their strikes smashed several trees to splinters around them and filling the air with sawdust.

Yoruichi grunted as she miscalculated the angle of her hand, stinging her fingers when she tried to parry the flat of the golden blade. "Hakuda is my weapon most of the time. Usually it serves me better than this!"

"Hakuda? Is this the name of your boxing or some weapon you left at home?"

"Not very familiar with Soul Reapers are you?"

"No." He admitted without a trace of embarrassment. Now that was interesting could it be that all Servants were ignorant of Soul Society?

"I am new to this land and its ways." He went on, driving her back once more with a few strategic thrusts. "Even so, your attacks do not seem to come near me despite your greater speed. Could it be that your boxing skill is inappropriate to bring against a spearman?"

"Your defense is... quite admirable I admit." She managed, bending back as the longspear passed inches over her forehead. Maybe there was...

Yes, she could see it now. With his longspear extended over her head and his golden blade poised to intercept an attack from the side she could finally make out an opening. Still arcing her back to escape the high jab he had sent her way she let her legs drop out from under her and hit the dirt on her back.

His eye followed the movement but by the time he had adjusted she had bent her arms behind her head and shoved herself forward with them. Sliding across the ground like a snake in reverse she passed clear under his guard and struck at his lower body with her long legs. Finally! Her usual grin lit up her face as she kicked at him. She had him at proper striking distance now!

With the same lightning fast agility he jerked his leg away from her knee shattering kick and backed away retreating on his long legs once more to deprive her of her accomplishment. Not likely!

She twisted on the ground rolling after him using her elbows and knees to increase her speed to a level that was almost equal to conventional running. It was an old Hoho technique, invented to allow the practitioner to retreat as quickly as possible in the event of being knocked over. For her however it could be used just as easily to press an attack made close to the ground.

She spun rolling sideways over and over, her body rolling like a wheel as she kept up with him. As fast as she was going however even with complete mastery of this form it was impossible to match the efficiency of someone who was moving on their own two legs. After a few more moments he was outpacing her. She grimaced and was about to give up when suddenly Lancer stopped abruptly.

Usually when two enemies of great speed met one another the battle was decided over a great distance, the two Soul Reapers moving many miles as they attacked or retreated in turn. With Lancer refusing to leave the open terrain of the clearing however their high speed battle had remained confined to the original battlefield, and to compensate for the relative lack of space they had turned regularly, fighting over the same confined ground again and again.

Now, having turned one time to many Lancer had backed right up into the edge of the large crater that the two Arrancar had made with their landing!

Yoruichi saw her chance. She kicked, her leg blurring as it shot up to connect with Lancer's stomach. Lancer however brought his leg up to cover his belly, expertly intercepting her leg with his own and bringing the golden spear blade around to skewer her.

"I'm not finished!" She growled, and with a twist she swung her other leg around in a similar movement. Reacting quickly he changed direction, bringing the shaft of his golden spear around to block, but he had misjudged the nature of the attack. Instead of kicking at him her leg swung in an arc just in front of him and the two small knives she kept hidden in her boot flew straight and true.

He tried to correct a third time and actually managed to deflect one, shifting the haft of his spear just in time, but the second knife could not be stopped. He grunted as it buried itself in his shoulder, his beautiful features wincing in pain. In the split second that he was distracted she brought her first leg back and then forward again sweeping low. Kicked in the leg while standing on one foot and surprised by the knife in his shoulder Lancer's leg gave out under her sweep and he fell backwards into the crater.

Yoruichi smiled mischievously and hopped to her feet looking down after him. Lancer it seemed had landed with the same grace that he had displayed in battle and was pulling her bloody knife from his shoulder. She had been hoping to break his leg but it looked like he was tougher than she had pegged him for.

"With speed like that you could do to learn some Hakuda." She called down to him with a smile. "An even better use of your time would be learning not to help Hollows though."

Lancer looked up at her and climbed to his feet calmly, rubbing his bleeding shoulder. Some other warriors would have quaked or raged upon having been bested in such a manner but the Spearman seemed calm. To Yoruichi this meant two things: He had another trick up his sleeve, and he was humble enough to take a beating without complaint.

She smiled. The first was to be expected of any good fighter, but the other was a great deal rarer.

Exiting the crater with a jump Lancer positioned himself opposite to her and brought his spears up again, a clear, hard determination shining in his eyes.

Yoruichi feinted indifference looking around the clearing causally. "We've done this poor meadow a number I think. Why don't you give it a rest. Come with us and we'll forget this. Your master will thank you for picking the right side latter anyway if he has half a brain." The grass that they had fought on top of had been almost completely annihilated by now, and while the crater between them was the only one big enough to fall into,the ground around them was now scared with countless shallow pits where one of them had put their foot down harder than usual, or where the wind from their strikes had raked the earth.

Lancer also looked around, but the face that returned her gaze was unmoved. "Your offer is well made, but I will not suffer you to speak ill of my Maser so causally."

Yoruichi cracked her knuckles growing more serious. "I wont hold back my opinion of anyone who sides with those. Hollows are great evil spirits, and if your commander cannot tell that or does not care he is not worthy of being called intelligent."

"Then we are at an impasse. Prepare yourself. Your fighting style is highly creative, but the same trick will not avail you twice. En Garde!"

Leaping over the crater Lancer descended with both spears outstretched. Yoruichi disappeared in a flash of speed and was away again, retreating from Lancers constant jabs to attempt some counter charge latter.

His vision blurring Ichigo rose to his feet, his legs feeling wobbly, but his mind thankfully back under his control.

It felt like he had been run over by a train, every bone in his body aching abominably, almost as if some giant had come along and started pummeling him while he was unconscious. Oh... that was quite possible.

Leaning on Zangetsu he turned his head surveying the clearing. It had been utterly gutted and the reason was not far off. On one side Urahara was trading what looked to be wide area destruction energy blasts with the pale faced Ulquiorra while opposite to them Yoruichi was locked in fierce combat with a spear wielding fighter Bishonen enough to make Yumichika break down in tears. He paused for moment watching the two. They were fast. He had learned about Yoruichi's rather elevated reputation in Soul Society but he had never actually seen her move in the way it was whispered that she could before.

Now he could see it was true though. Her every movement was barely followable, a dark streak more elusive than the wind that surpassed even Byakuya's fastest pace. Her enemy's own movements did not quite compare but were still easily on par with the fastest that he had seen. The pace was so frightful that between the two of them it was nearly impossible to make out what was going on save that they were demolishing the earth around them with their footsteps.

Incredible the sight was he forced his eyes away. It was foolish to become preoccupied on a battlefield and one of the enemy was still missing. Ulquiorra and the newcomer were both fighting, so then where was that bastard Yammy? Despite his size it took a little while to spot the dark skinned giant amidst the field of craters and cracks that the clearing had been torn into. Ichigo eventually made him out slumped against a tree several dozen meters away. His clothing was torn an ragged and the trees all around him had collapsed under his undoubtedly great weight.

Ichigo scowled at him. The thought of killing an enemy who was already down was repugnant, but for a brute like that who had served him the same the temptation was very strong. It would have kind of a poetic justice to it. He pushed the thought away though. Dirty was dirty, and it wasn't something he wanted to involve himself with.

Crossing the clearing with a burst of rather painful Shunpo he regarded the downed giant for a moment and then reached for a large rock.

"Hey! Get up!" He threw and it bounced off with a 'plunk'. The Giant groaned.

Its eyes came open and it regarded Ichigo in a rather dazed manner. Then they focused. "You! Thought you would come and kill me while I was down?!"

"No baka, I actually-"

"Treacherous little maggot! I smashed you down once I can do it again! You'll see how stabbing me in the back works out now!" With an angry shout Yammy lumbered to his feet and lunged at the red haired Soul Reaper.

Ichigo swung his sword, opening another gash in the giants shoulder, but his body felt like lead, and when Yammys fist came swinging in it found its mark, sending a surprised Ichigo rolling several dozen feet.

He got back up and spat dirt out of his mouth, leveling his sword once more as Yammy shouted and ran forward at him. In Ichigo's injured state the Giant didn't look so dismissible anymore...

Her hands moving so fast that they flickered Yoruichi tried to stand her ground against the spearman for the second time, parrying the spearpoints with her hands as best as she was able, one, ten, twenty-!

She vaulted backwards to safety having just narrowly missed being skewered, and finally made up her mind. Despite the earlier success of her attack from the ground she was still unable to match Lancer in close combat, mostly because she couldn't get close enough to really engage in close combat. He had learned from his earlier blunder to, and now when she went low he had followed her without hesitation, spearing the ground and turning the tables on her, forcing her to roll away from his spearblows as quickly as she was able. Nor did he seem to be tiring, as she had hoped he might from the shoulder wound he now bore. So in addition to his superb speed and strength he was also apparently tough enough to stick around for the long haul. In short he was first rate Captain material.

An with that giant now awake again it was passed time to take him down.

In the early days of her martial arts training long ago it was necessary to use her Zanpakuto frequently to make up for the shortcomings of her style. As her skills had grown however this became less and less true until she had stopped using it almost altogether. Every once in blue moon though she had come across an enemy against who barehanded techniques were ill suited. That was when things like Kido came in handy.

Jumping back a good ten yards she looked down at the ground and closed her eyes, drawing on the rivers of Reiatsu that dwelt inside her. Holding out her right arm she clenched her palm into a fist and began channeling massive amounts of her spirit energy into it and the rest of her body.

If her hand to hand style could not reach her enemy then she would simply use a ranged attack to level them from a great distance, eliminating the meaning of long or short reach in a single move.

Her fist began to form a brilliant silhouette as her Reiatsu surged forth. The air around her began to whip the ground forming a cyclone.

Lancer shielded his eyes and took a step back watching her warily. "What witchery is this now? I will warn you madam, I am not fond of sorcery."

She smiled slyly at him."Could it be that you don't know about Kido?Your mastery of the melee arts is commendable indeed Lancer, but I cannot let you win the day in respect of your skills. I'm Yoruichi Shihoin, Flash Goddess of the Seireitei and former commander of the second division. I commend your fighting skills, but this ends now."

Lancers eyes narrowed. The wind from her technique had caught the edge of the cloth covering his red spear and began to tug it loose. Wordlessly he reached over and tugged it the rest of the way off, unraveling it in an instant. She felt a mild spike of Reiatsu from the thing and gave it a long look. She did not think that these Servants had Zanpakuto, but whatever this was it was obviously some kind of Shikai like weapon. Like its owner it possessed a strange aura of beauty, though the feeling here was mixed with danger as well. Long and red it was, redder than blood and wonderfully crafted from the look of it. She had no doubt that it was a fine weapon but now their roles were reversed. Unless it could bridge the gap between them before she struck no matter how strong it was it would not succeed against her.

The shining silhouette of light around her picked up its pace, changing from whirlwind like wisps to forks of white lightning. It was ready. The ground around her began to come apart, chunks of dirt and stone crumbling and floating upwards under the pressure of her Reiatsu. The clothes on her back and arms shredded and in an instant Shunko was ready.

Before her Lancers eyes had become sharp, his mouth set in a hard line. Dropping his golden spear he grasped the red lance with both hands and leveled it at her bracing himself to charge. Whatever Shikai he had to unleash or trick he had to pull he was going to do it now.

But Yoruichi was not about to give him the time. Bracing her arm against her side she unleashed Shunko with a flick of her wrist. The white destruction roared towards the Spearman, obliterating the ground as it rampaged towards him with all the ferocity of a screaming cat, clearing the distance between them many times faster than sound.

But it was into that maelstrom that Lancer charged swift and straight as a diving hawk, his red spearshaft thrust before him like a ram. "Gae Dearg! Shine through, Crimson Rose of Exorcism!"

Yoruichi gasped and stared at the sight before her. Against all possibility Lancer was dashing though the waves of destroying Reiatsu, cutting though her Shunko with a clear determination. It was the spear! As the energy of her Shunko wave crashed against the shining tip of the crimson spear it gave way, parting before it, the Kido loosing all structure and cohesion and dispersing in every direction. Behind it the remaining energy that was left to lash against Lancer ran off his body like water off rock.

All this Yoruichi saw in a split second through eyes half blinded by the brilliance of her own attack. And then there was a squelching noise. A shock ran though her body and she looked down.

The white destruction of her Kido technique was gone leaving an aftermath of rent scorched earth and broken trees in its wake. Everything that it touched had been destroyed. Everything except Lancer.

He stood before her, the most beautiful man she had ever seen, steam or smoke rising off his blackened clothes. His eyes were narrowed in grim triumph, an expression which somehow only made him more stunning as he held the spear who's blade had sunken into her belly just below the sternum.

"My apologies madam, but no sorcery will overcome the spear of my holy father; until the grass of Ireland turns to dun or the Ring of Tara lies in ruin it will protect me."

He yanked the spear from her stomach, twisting it for maximum damage as he did so. A great gout of blood sprayed out splattering his hands and perfect face and running in red rivers down her legs.

She stared at the wound gaping in silent shock. It had been so long since she had taken an injury that she had almost forgotten what it felt like...

The world seemed to spin in a circle as Yoruichi pitched forward, sinking to her knees.

"S-Soi Fo-"

"Yoruichi!"A jolt of pure shock ran though Ichigo at the sight of his teachers impalement and for moment he forgot where he was.

"Ha! Looks like she's a goner, don't get distracted punk!"

Catching the giants punch with one hand Ichigo slammed his fist into the Yammy's face without even thinking sending the giant smashing into the dirt again. That didn't matter though. His eyes never left Yoruichi as she fell to the ground, impaled by a monstrous red spear.

Anger boiled over in his heart as he took in the features of the one who had stabbed her. He had never seen this dandy before, and he didn't wear any sort of hollow mask, but it didn't matter. Yoruichi was his teacher. Yoruichi was his friend and he had killed her!

"Raaaaa!"

Even when he crossed the field in a single step spearman didn't seem surprised by how fast he moved, but the weight of the sword he swung down was definitely unexpected.

Never the less Lancer struck Icigo's cleaver to the side with a well placed jab and jumped back frowning.

His chest heaving Ichigo lifted Zangetsu once more and charged, slashing away madly with everything he had. It was no good. Already weary and beaten every strike he launched was deflected before it came near.

"Young man, stay your anger. You are in no condition to contend with me!"

"Shut up!" Ichigo raised his sword once more pure anger coursing though his veins threatening to awaken his inner hollow all over again.

Perhaps the Spearman saw something in his eyes, his expression suddenly becoming doubtful. Shouting again Ichigo charged forward hacking with all his might.

Instead of parrying him this time the Spearman danced to the side avoiding it completely. The spear in his hands blurred and there was a burning agony in his knee. He was stabbed!

Dropping to his good knee he screamed and clutched at his bleeding leg. "Y-you bastard!"

"Stay down young man. You cannot avenge your friend with rage."

"Shut up! You don't know anything about me!" Ichigo grasped his sword once more, madness still dancing before his eyes. If Yoruichi was dead, if she was dead... first Orihime was gone, he wouldn't, he couldn't loose another friend so fast, not after he just saved Rukia!

"Young man!" The Spearman spoke up in sudden alarm looking at something behind him.
Ichigo paused as a shadow loomed over both of them. Yammy was standing behind him, glowering at both of them with a look of such utter hatred his face didn't look quite human anymore. "You groveling maggots! Push me down again will you? Take my kill will you! Now you both die! Cero!" Throwing his head back the giant took in a huge breath and with a glimmer red energy began to suddenly gather in his mouth with an awful humming noise.

"Ichigo! Yoruichi!"

In a flash of Shunpo Urahara was there, sword in hand reaching up to cut Yammy down before he could unleash the annihilating attack, but just as quickly Ulquiorra followed him, flashing into sight and intercepting Benihime with his own steel.

Ichigo tried to turn, to stop the giant from breathing, but as he turned his knee screamed in pain and he stumbled. Lancer, perhaps not understanding what he was seeing, perhaps still regarding the giant as a ally simply leveled his spear at the giant to defend himself in the same manner he had from the Shunko blast.

Time seemed to slow down again as the energy gathered. Desperate Ichigo raised Zangetsu trying to cover himself. Malice glinted in Yammy's eyes as his chest swelled and then-

The foul buzzing of Yammy's Cero was drowned out suddenly by a deafening peal of thunder. There was a flash of light, indeed lightning and oddly enough the sound of mooing and a sharp clatter of wheels filled the air.

"Aaalalalalalalalalalaie!"

The gathered power in Yammy's mouth scattered in every direction as a large shining something descended upon him from the sky wreathed in lightning.

Dropping from the sky like a comet it crashed straight into Yammy's face, hitting him so hard that he flew off his feet blood spraying from his face, his skin sizzling as it was combed by the long tendrils of electricity.

The giant fell with a crash, his arms spread eagle on the ground, the state of his head uncertain. Just beyond him the lightning died away and the flying thing rolled on, touching down upon the ground and then turning, rolling towards the bizarre group which had all gathered. It wasn't until it came within a few yards that Ichigo saw he was looking at. It was of all things a chariot. An ornate chariot bigger than a truck with massive crushing wheels and a gilded frame pulled by a pair of great black bulls.

Standing in the driver position holding the reigns was one of the biggest human sized men that Ichigo had ever seen. He was dressed in a costume that rivaled Don Kanonji's in absurdity and was grinning like a madman. His next words, shouted with arms spread to the sky left no doubt.

"Spirits! Devils! Throw down your weapons and kneel! You are in the presence of a King! I Iskander the Great, King of Conquerors have come!"

No weapons were thrown down, but Lancer, Urahara and even Ulquiorra all lowered their weapons from fighting position, staring at the newcomer in astonishment.

And it was no wonder. Even half blinded by rage Ichigo could feel the Reiatsu coming off the chariot and its rider, it was huge, almost overwhelming. Urahara seemed particularly taken aback for some reason looking at the man as if he knew him. In fact... there was something familiar abut the Reiatsu coming of this man. Or, he realized with a jolt of shock, a Reiatsu that was very close to the charioteer. He blinked and then looked, his eyes moving downwards from the riders face just slightly until they rested on-

"KARIN?!"

Karin it was, her face flushed, her hair windblown but Karin none the less. Her expression was a strange mixture of bemusement, fear and relief as she looked at him and he got crazy sense that she had come for him. But that was ridiculous. Karin was Karin, she was his little sister. It was his duty to protect her, he had come here in the first place so that she would not have to be here!

"Y-you!" His knee was awash in agony, but he struggled to his feet regardless to point an accusing finger at the charioteer. "How dare you kidnap my Sister!"

"Eh? Boy you got it all wrong."

Ichigo felt his head reeling. Everything was falling apart. Orihime was missing, Chad was missing, his Hollow was driving him mad, Yoruichi was wounded, probably dieing, Yammy kept trying to kill him and now this man had somehow kidnapped his sister and brought her here. Nothing. Made. Any. Sense. Anymore.

He charged at the crimson clad man feeling more confused than angry but his footsteps were halting and feeble.

"Number 27! Shubireyubi!" A finger was suddenly pushed into his face and there was a flash of white light. His legs, already feeling heavy as lead were suddenly to great a burden to move. He dropped to his knees again and was forced to lean on Zangetsu to remain upright.

"Rider... I see your name was indicative after all." Urahara said slowly, stepping in front of him. So, it had been him who stunned him. He knew why the shop keep had done it, but at the moment it didn't stop him from resenting him.

"Indeed! My Gordius Wheel is the finest car you will find in any legend." The driver replied haughtily.

"Rider!" Karin shouted hammering her fists against her captors chest "These are my friends! Let me down! Help my brother!"

"Right. My Masters kin is not something I want further damage done to. Hand him over and I wont trample you all into giblets, how's that for a Kings terms?"

Ulquiorra gazed at the driver for a moment before flashing over to stand by a fallen Yammy. Grabbing the giants arm he thrust his hand into mid air and pulled. Like reality cracking apart like a crease appeared in the air and unfolded to reveal the darkness of the realm of hollows behind it.

Turning towards the Spearman he inclined his head. "Lancer." He said in his soft empty voice. "You have done well maiming Shihouin Yoruichi. Lord Aizen may be pleased with you should you choose to return with us."

Lancer looked almost startled by the proposition and made a strange sign with his fingers. "My Master may have chosen to Gods forbid that I would follow a Sidhe into its land. Away with you demon!"

Ulquiorra stared at him expressionlessly for a moment and then turned without a word marching though the tear in space and dragging Yammy's huge body with him. There was a noise of grinding and the tear smoothed over becoming simple empty space once more. The Arrancar were gone.

Leaving Ichigo with Urahara, a dieing Yoruichi and two bastards, one responsible for Yoruichi's condition and one who had kidnapped his sister!

"Well! There they go just like that!" The latter bastard said looking after the departing Arrancar with astonishment. "Its not everyone who can tear space just as quick as you please. I don't suppose you know where I can find those men after this is done do you?"

Urahara ignored him looking over at Yoruichi lying on the ground. His face was twisted in an expression that Ichigo had never seen on him before, and all at once he knew that his old teacher was in just as much pain as he was. His anger towards him eased slightly and as it did things seemed to become less confused. Karin did not look like she was a captive for one. But then what was she doing here?

"You." Urahara said turning to Lancer. "The ones you sided with are gone now. There is no longer any reason to oppose us. Step aside and let me retrieve my friend."

"Ah." Lancer looked uncomfortable but his voice was resolute. "I cannot. Soon that woman will bleed to death. I cannot let you intervene and nullify the victory I have won for my Master this day."

Ichigo realized his hand was shaking from rage and clenched his fist. But it was Urahaa who's reaction took him off guard.

The always placid shopkeepers face blackened and he took a step forward "Step aside or die." His voice was colder than ice and Benihime was growling almost audibly as he lifted it, dark red smoke rising in great clouds from its edges. Ichigo had never seen his teacher remotely like this before and the effect was chilling.

If Lancer was intimidated however he showed no sign, twirling his spear in a quick series of arcs around his shoulders he leveled its crimson tip towards the blond shopkeepers heart.

"That woman believed she could best me with sorcery, I will see how you fare in comparison."

"Oy oy oy!" The voice of the charioteer cut across both of them disrupting the atmosphere of death that had settled between the two. "You are Lancer then are you not? These Spirits aren't your true concern. I am Rider, another contestant for the Grail. Turn your blade on me and let this poor man attend to his lover in peace."

Lancer hesitated, looking between Urahara and Rider in his chariot.

"Or we could just both attack you together." He growled. "Is that what you want?"

Bowing his head slightly Lancer nodded and lowered his spear. "Your judgment is fair Servant Rider." He stepped aside, Urahara flashing to Yoruichi side the instant he did. He bent over her examining her injury for an instant before he pressed both hands down on Yoruichi stomach. Green light glowed between his fingers and she stirred weakly.

"Lets do this then." Rider said, lightly flicking his bulls with the reigns. They lumbered forward till the chariot found a stretch of ground which was more or less intact. Keeping pace with it Lancer stalked over to where the impromptu dueling ground was seemingly about the take place.

The two turned and faced each other separated by perhaps two dozen yards.

Iskander raised his arms in the air as if stretching and then called out. "I am Rider, but my name as known to you is Alexander the Great, Lord of old Persia and the Macedonian expanse. I challenged you earlier but there is no need of bloodshed between us. I am the King of Conquerors, and my eyes are already set on the world. Join me, surrender me the Grail and we can share in that conquest, the two of us."

Lancer looked momentarily surprised but shook his head and glared at Rider.

"You give your name boldly. Very well, I am Servant Lancer, Knight of the Spear. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is my name. I am sworn to deliver up the Grail to my own master and none other. It must be blood between us."

"So it seems." Rider growled fingering his reigns. "If you will not join me then, we'll settle this now I think. You and me, blade vs wheels in an all or nothing contest, is that what you want so badly?"

Lancer nodded and grasped his spear assuming a fighting position.

Rider flicked his reigns once more. The Bulls bellowed, and with a groan the chariot shot forward, rattling as it went while huge arcs of lighting leaping from its spinning wheels. Lancer was fast, and unbelievably quick on his feet but compared to the mechanical speed unleashed by the chariot even he seemed to be moving in slow motion. The vehicle shot forward like a tank using Shunpo and there was a great roll of thunder which rattled Ichigo's very bones.

Lancer it seemed planed first on meeting the chariot, his idea seemed to be to spear one of the great bulls and then spring to the side, but as the chariot drew nearer his eyes widened and the plan was abandoned. Diving to the side he hit the ground and rolled, escaping the direct path of the charging bulls, but it was not enough. Before he could get completely clear the chariot was upon him its arcs of lightning raking him thrice and laying him on his back while one of the great crushing wheels of the lightning engine rolled over his arm missing his head by inches. Even with the racket that was being made by the chariot a clear dry cracking of bone could be heard that made Ichigo wince.

Flopping on the ground like a dieing fish Lancer stirred feebly and clutched at his arm panting in defeat. His left arm had been broken severely, the limb now jutting out at a completely wrong angle while great patches of his flesh had been scorched black and smoking. Despite what he had just done Ichigo couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension at the sight.

Oblivious to the brutality of the damage that it had just done the chariot rolled on, its bulls letting out happy 'moo's as they trotted onward swinging their tails. Rider steered the chariot back around but before he could offer mercy or try and finish the job Lancer's body faded away into a mist which rose up into the air and sped off due west. The battle it seemed was over.

To overwhelmed with fatigue and weirdness already Ichigo watched the mist go with something like detachment. He struggled and gained his feet with great difficulty. Panting he dragged himself towards the chariot and its driver. He needed to separate Karin from that man. He might not have kidnapped her, but dragging her into a dangerous situation like this... the thought made him angry all over again.

Thankfully there was no need to limp all the way to the chariot, as it rolled straight towards him.

"Ichigo!" His Sister hoped out of the back and ran to him the moment it stopped.

"Karin..." He smiled weakly at her. "Thank goodness your safe."

"I'm safe?"His little sister gaped at him like he was out of his mind. "Ichigo you've been beaten to a pulp! Urahara!" She turned and shouted at the shopkeeper who was still kneeling over Yoruichi prone form. "Urahara! Lets go!"

A thick ruddy neck craned over the side of the chariot and looked down at him appraising. He found himself looking into an immensely thickset square face with a huge red beard covering its chin and thick red eyebrows.

"You are Karin's brother." The man said slowly. Ichigo was made rather painfully aware of his scuffed up appearance and scowled back at the face.

"Yeah. Who are you?"

"I am Iskander, but more on that latter. Your sister wants you treated so lets get you somewhere they can do it."

Leaning over the side of his cockpit Iskander reached with a pair of thick burly arms and grabbed Ichigo under the shoulder, hoisting him over the wheel (Which gave him a little zap) and into the driving compartment. A few moments latter Urahara appeared. A limp Yoruichi was cradled in his arms but her eyes were open and she was smiling weakly.

"It seems the... cavalry arrived literally this time then." She said, her voice sounding faint.

Ichigo tried to crack a smile but he couldn't, the sight of her like that was difficult to take.

"You can take us back to my shop in this thing?" Urahara demanded.

"I might have to ask a few directions, but it wont have trouble carrying all of you and it cant be beat for speed."

"You have my thanks then. Karin, you to. Now lets go!"

"Roll on! Aalalai!" The big man bellowed his strange call and cracked the reigns. Before he knew it they were rising into the the air, lightning spinning out from the wheels of this thing which turned impossibly on the open air. Behind them Ichigo watched the ruined clearing faded away quickly into the distance.

"So, your all ghosts then?" Iskander asked, looking back over his shoulder while he maned the reigns. "Is this sort of thing common around here?"

Thankfully Ichigo was spared the obligation of responding by Urahara. "Hardly. I am still surprised by your lack of knowledge of current events Rider. Though it seems that the same could be said for this Lancer character. There is a story behind it I am curious to know."

"Hmm. The story is not as complicated as all that."

"I am inclined to doubt you considering the bond you have formed with Karin."

"What? You know about that? Who are you then anyway?"

"I am Kisuke Urahara. I run a local store but as you have see I also happen to be something of a Shinigami."

"Wait.." Ichigo choked out. What did they mean by 'bond with Karin'?

"Again with these Shinigami. You don't seem to much like that strange hairdo man who challenged me the other day."

"Wait..." Ichigo choked out again, but it was no good. His voice seemed to have gone out and the wind was blowing away all his words.

"No, I am quite different from that-"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A BOND WITH MY LITTLE SISTER!?" There was his voice, he knew it was still lurking around somewhere.

There was an awkward silence. Karin looked terrified suddenly. Yoruichi looked at him managing a rather guilty expression even in her state.

Rider though, he looked back at him as if he were no more than an annoying child. "I don't suppose you heard boy. Your Sister is my Master now. She's fighting with me in the Grail War. A good thing to or you'd be toast about now I think."

Ichigo blinked and tried to say something but once again no words were coming out. His sister was fighting in the Grail War. What did that mean? And what did it mean that she was this guys 'Master'?

"The hell are you talking about?" He said slowly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Whatever the answer was he didn't think he would like it.

Poor Yammy gets knocked off his feet so many times in this chapter. I feel bad for him, I really do. It must be frustrating.

Working on geting a beta reader for this thing. Anyone who knows a good one, if you would recomend me and give me their name that would be just wunderbar.